Progressive stayer Mayor Of Norwood (NZ) (Ghibellines) rewarded his many followers when he added to an outstanding record on his home track by capturing the WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m) at Wingatui.
The six-year-old gelding scored his fourth win from 10 starts at the venue after enjoying an economical passage against the rail throughout as the field chased after tearaway pacemaker Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj), who was out by 10 lengths in the mid-stages of the contest.
Rider Corey Campbell managed to extract the Brian and Shane Anderton-prepared son of Ghibellines from a tight spot as Humbucker faded badly at the 600m, but was still in a pocket between Mahoe (NZ) (Alamosa) and Sacred Dream (NZ) (Sacred Falls) as the trio surged away from the pack early in the run home.
Campbell was patient as he waited for the gap to come, and when it presented itself, he quickly pushed Mayor Of Norwood through and to the front, where he drew clear to win comfortably by a length from a brave Mahoe who held out Sacred Dream to claim the runner-up prize.
Shane Anderton was pleased to see his charge back to winning form as the stable look to aim him at another home track feature later in the summer.
“It turned into a genuine staying test as they went really hard up in front,” Anderton said. “He got off the back of them at the right time and hit the line well.
“There was a lot going for him today as he likes the bigger tracks and genuine staying races, so he was very good.
“It would be nice if we could stretch him out to the Dunedin Gold Cup distance of 2400m as we are looking at a race like that before he gets too much weight on his back.”
The Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) is set to be staged at Wingatui on 1 March.
Raced by the estate of his breeder, the late Patrick Smith, Mayor Of Norwood is out of the useful race mare Gallant Babe (NZ) (Gallant Guru) and is the younger brother of the stakes placed Capo Dell Impero (NZ) (Ghibellines), who took out the 2024 edition of the Waikouaiti Cup.
He has now won five of his 26 starts and over $159,000 in prizemoney.